Info Junkie: Marilynn Gardner

Marilynn Gardner, 45, plays host to more than 8.5 million visitors a year as CEO of Navy Pier Inc., the city's top tourist attraction. Her amusements:

Local news from NBC's "Today" in the morning, "Chicago Tonight" in the early evening on WTTW-TV/Channel 11 and WGN-TV/Channel 9's "News at 9" before bed. Also, the Tribune and Sun-Times.

For a wider view, checks HuffingtonPost.com and Wall Street Journal online "to see where philanthropic and branding corporate dollars are going because we'll be transforming the pier in a major way over the next five years" as a recently minted nonprofit.

Tracks how people spend their leisure time at Chicago magazine, Chicagoist.com and Today's Chicago Woman magazine. Visits AmusementToday.com "to find out what the Disneys of the world are focusing on."

Watches celebrity chefs for leadership — not culinary — inspiration, particularly Food Network's "Restaurant: Impossible" with Robert Irvine, "because he kicks failing restaurants into shape," and Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" with Gordon Ramsay. "I have high expectations, too, but I won't yell and throw things at you."

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At home in North Center, reads Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" to her three children, 9, 7 and 5. "It's my all-time favorite because it says you can do anything you put your mind to."

Guilty pleasure: StumbleUpon.com, which finds and recommends web content she likes, such as photography, architecture and fashion. "I see things from around the world that prompt ideas and thoughts for the pier and personally."